Scranton native makes NFL cheer squad and swimsuit calendar cover

Patrice Wilding
The Times-Tribune
October 12, 2013

Christine Nezelkewicz thought the toughest part of becoming a cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints would be the grueling, three-day tryouts.

But then she found herself on an airboat in the Louisiana bayou posing with alligators for the squad’s 2013-2014 swimsuit calendar.

The risk was worth the reward for the Scranton native: Ms. Nezelkewicz, a 2002 graduate of Scranton High School who studied fashion merchandising at Philadelphia University, was named the cover girl and appears as Miss April in the popular 14-month publication.

This year’s calendar, the theme of which was “Sportsman’s Paradise,” was shot on location throughout Louisiana. The cheerleaders – called the Saintsations – posed for photos that celebrate hunting, fishing and other sports and also highlighted the Pelican State’s natural backdrop.

“It was something new for me, so I just tried to listen to my director and whatever the photographer would say, think happy thoughts and smile,” Ms. Nezelkewicz said during a recent phone interview.

Around 25 girls participated in the calendar shoot in June, she said, though no one knew if they made it onto the pages until a reveal party held in August.

The achievement is one Ms. Nezelkewicz’s father, Chester, is happy to boast about.

“My dad is my biggest cheerleader,” she said with a laugh. “He carries around my calendar no matter where he goes. He’s already sold a whole box for me.”

The calendar is the icing on the cake for Ms. Nezelkewicz, who always dreamed of being an NFL cheerleader. In high school, she was a basketball cheerleader for four years, and she also was part of Penn State Worthington Scranton’s squad while studying there before she moved to Philadelphia.

After she earned her bachelor’s degree, Ms. Nezelkewicz moved to the South (“I love the warm weather,” she said), where she received certification in vascular ultrasound sonography and lives with her sister, Chelsea Grow, a neurologist.

By day, Ms. Nezelkewicz lives in Hattiesburg, Miss., and works as a vascular sonographer at a clinic with a vascular surgeon. Two nights each week, however, she commutes two hours to Louisiana for Saintsations practice with a couple of her squadmates.

“I tried out when I first moved down here and didn’t make it,” she explained. “But it’s something I’ve always wanted.”

To give herself the edge she needed, Ms. Nezelkewicz enrolled in dance classes and trained for a year and a half before trying out again.

“I’ve never taken dance before, but (these girls) are very skilled, technical dancers,” she said. “I learned basics in a studio with little girls.

“It was overwhelming, but I love that the cheerleaders are role models. No matter how hard it is, keep following your dreams. Work hard and strive for your goals, and it’ll pay off.”

Finding balance between her career and cheerleading isn’t easy, she added.

“It’s a big commitment,” Ms. Nezelkewicz said. “(But) it doesn’t really interfere with my job.”

The process of joining the Saintsations began in April with workshops and dance auditions that drew more than 200 women. After learning a few routines and surviving several rounds of cuts and interviews, Ms. Nezelkewicz was called back with the 35 other girls who were named to the 2013-2014 squad.

Though the tryouts were intimidating, making the team gave Ms. Nezelkewicz hard-earned confidence, she said.

The next few months were a whirlwind of head shots, team-bonding exercises and get-to-know-you retreats, biweekly practices and more. Once football season began, the Saints bested the Atlanta Falcons during the home opener, and the excitement just increased from there.

“The fans, everyone is really nice and really excited, and absolutely give us support at the games and on the field,” Ms. Nezelkewicz said. “I’m excited for my new love for the Saints. … They’re America’s team. The city is so great, and the vibe is good.

“I hope to represent my hometown of Scranton, Pa., well,” she added. “(I) am proud and thankful for my friends and family supporting me while I live out my dreams as a NFL cheerleader.”